A community-based approach to inventorying energy and greenhouse gas emissions was developed and carried out by Kluane First Nation (KFN) and the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) in 2011/2012. Residents and commercial and government operators in Burwash Landing, Destruction Bay, and Silver City were interviewed about the types of energy they depend on—including how much it costs them, and how much they used in 2011—and the associated greenhouse gas emissions were derived.
Consideration was given to stationary energy (electricity and heat generation), transport energy (on and off-road vehicle use), and waste sectors. Views on energy concerns and success stories were also solicited to provide insight into the inventory as well as future directions that could be taken with local energy production and consumption. In addition, building characteristics, such as mode of heating, quality of insulation, etc., were gathered so the communities may effectively monitor and interpret changes to energy consumption and emissions over time. This approach to understanding energy use and emissions at the community scale is unique in that it draws upon the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to illuminate current and potential energy states.
Researcher, Lisa Christensen, Yukon Research Centre, Yukon College, Whitehorse
Project lead with KFN, Colin Wright, Environment Officer, Kluane First Nation, Burwash Landing
Associate researcher, Janice Dickson, Community Liaison, Kluane First Nation
Local Research Review Committee members: JP Pinard, Sandra Johnson, Janice Dickson, and Colin Wright